ES2870129T3 - Food dough extrusion machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Food dough extrusion machine (10), comprising - a platform (2) and - at least one extrusion unit (1) supported by the platform (2), in which the extrusion machine (10) has a guide (3) whereby the at least one extrusion unit (10) is supported on the platform (2) and whereby the at least one extrusion unit (10) is adjustable relative to the platform (2) and removable from the platform (2), in which the guide (3) comprises at least two parallel rails (4, 5), characterized in that the extrusion unit (1) has a lower part (8) and an upper part (7) , in which the lower part (8) is removable from the upper part (7), and in which the distance between the rails is greater than the width of the lower part.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Food dough extrusion machine

The invention relates to a food dough extrusion machine comprising a platform and at least one extrusion unit supported by the platform. The invention also relates to a method for changing the functionality of a dough extrusion machine.

Document DE69923586T2 discloses a molding device for molding three-dimensional products from a food product mass. The molding device comprises a mold having a mold cavity with a filling opening for filling the cavity with a portion of the dough. A closure means closes the filling opening of the mold cavity, so that the dough is retained in the closed mold cavity for a fixing period, after which the mold cavity is opened and the molded product is removed. The molding device can be a drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and comprising multiple molds along its circumference.

Document DE7118662U discloses a device for depositing a mass on a support. The pressure applying action to press the dough through outlet openings must be provided by an operator by means of a system of levers.

Documents KR20130003951U2, US5728411A, EP1602281A1, WO96 / 23415A1 disclose dough extrusion machines according to the state of the art.

Extrusion machines according to the prior art are inflexible. The change in functionality, particularly the adaptation to the different qualities of food, is usually not possible or is very difficult. Typically, different extrusion machines are needed to process different dough qualities.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved dough extrusion machine for the food industry. In particular, the dough extrusion machine should allow great flexibility or adjustability, as well as easily change functionality. Handling, exchange and cleaning of parts that come into contact with the dough should be simplified. In addition, assembly and maintenance should be carried out at lower costs and in a shorter time.

The problem of the invention is solved by a dough extrusion machine according to claim 1.

The invention facilitates adjustment, movement / removal and / or exchange of the extrusion unit. The guide not only allows a correct adjustment of the extrusion unit before or during operation, but also allows the extrusion unit to be completely removed by means of the guide.

The invention relates to a food dough extrusion machine, in particular for the production of bakery products, such as cookies, sweet biscuits, pretzels, etc. The term "dough" has a broad meaning in the sense of the present application and comprises any food dough or kneaded food material capable of flow, including fillings, creams, pasta-like material, and may contain cereals (particularly wheat), sugar , salt, milk, eggs, baking improvers, chocolate, nougat, nuts and / or other ingredients.

The platform can be any type of support that supports the extrusion units, in particular a table, a frame, a base, etc., preferably with an integrated conveyor for transporting the extrudate.

Of course, the extrusion unit has multiple outlet nozzles through which the mass flow (extrudate) is discharged, for example onto a conveyor.

In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion unit is supported on the platform by means of rollers that can roll along the guide. This reduces friction during movement. Preferably the rollers are mounted on top of the extrusion unit.

Preferably, each roller is covered by a protective cover that moves together with the respective roller. In this way, the rollers are protected from dough, dirt and external impacts.

In a preferred embodiment, the guide is provided on the platform and the rollers are mounted on the extrusion unit. In this case, the guide is stationary with respect to the platform.

According to the invention, the guide comprises at least two parallel rails, which allow a stable and well-defined support of the extrusion unit.

According to the invention, the extrusion unit has a lower part and an upper part, in which the lower part can be detached from the upper part, in which the distance between the rails is greater than the width of the lower part. Width is the extent of the extrusion unit in a direction perpendicular to the rails. In this case, the bottom can be lowered through the area between the rails or the rails of a corresponding conveyor (see below).

In a preferred embodiment, the lower part comprises a functional insert for conducting the dough, preferably a pump and / or a filling block and / or a nozzle arrangement. By changing only the lower part or only the functional insert (the upper part remains the same), the functionality of the extrusion machine can be changed in a fast and elegant way. In the case of a pump, the functional insert may comprise structured rollers that pump the dough towards the outlet nozzles. A filling block is a passive element that forms at least one channel, preferably multiple channels, to guide the dough from the feed rollers of the extrusion unit to the outlet nozzles.

Preferably, the extrusion unit comprises at least one feed roll, preferably (at least two) feed rolls, wherein preferably the at least one feed roll is housed in the upper part of the extrusion unit. The feed roller or rollers are rotatably mounted inside the extrusion unit and are connected to a drive. The feed roller or rollers push the dough from the dough supply means (hopper) towards the outlet (nozzles).

The upper part of the extrusion unit may further comprise a hopper or any other suitable dough supply means. It is preferable that the upper part of the extrusion unit comprises two feed rollers that form a gap for transferring the dough to the outlet nozzles. Downstream of the feed rollers and upstream of the outlet nozzles, the lower part comprises a functional unit, such as a pump casing (eg comprising structured rollers) or a filling block.

Preferably, the extrusion unit has a guide by which the dough supply means is movably supported, preferably by means of rollers that can roll along the guide, in which preferably the guide supporting the means of dough supply is essentially parallel to the guide that supports the extrusion unit. This allows adjustment of the dough supply means (hopper) before or during operation.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower part comprises a frame to which the functional insert is removably mounted. In this case, only the insert can be exchanged.

Preferably, the lower part is removable from the upper part in a downward direction. This allows for easy removal of the bottom, particularly in an external support system. In particular, the lower part can be lowered through an area between the guide rails.

Preferably, the lower part is fixed to the upper part by clamping means, preferably by screws, in which the clamping means are accessible from the top or from the side of the extrusion unit and / or comprise a release mechanism fast. This allows for good accessibility and simple removal of the bottom.

In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion unit is removably coupled to a drive unit to drive a functional insert at the bottom of the extrusion unit and / or feed rollers housed at the top of the extrusion unit. By moving the extrusion unit along the guide, it can be withdrawn from the drive unit. The drive unit can be stationary with respect to the guide. This embodiment is preferable, because the extrusion unit can be easily removed from the platform without the drive unit. The drive unit may comprise a drive for the feed rollers housed in the upper part of the extrusion unit and a drive for the functional unit in the lower part of the extrusion unit, such as a pump.

In a preferred embodiment, the platform comprises a conveyor (for example, a belt) for conveying the extruded dough by the extrusion unit, wherein the guide extends over the conveyor, preferably transverse, more preferably essentially perpendicular, to the direction transport of the conveyor. In this case, the guide forms a bridge on the conveyor. It is preferable that the extrusion unit has a longitudinal extension and that it extends transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor. The outlet nozzles of the extrusion unit are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the extrusion unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the dough extrusion machine comprises a support system for temporarily supporting an extrusion unit, wherein the support system comprises a first support having a guide, preferably in the form of two parallel rails, on which the guide can be aligned with the guide formed on the platform, so that the extrusion unit can move along the guides from the platform to the first support, and vice versa. By aligning the platform guide and the first support guide, the extrusion unit can be easily transferred from the platform to the support system. In the support system, the functionality of the extrusion unit can be changed, for example, by exchanging the lower part of the extrusion unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the support system comprises a second support that can be lowered relative to the first support. The second support can be arranged below or inside the first support to support and lower the lower part of the extrusion unit, while the upper part is held by the first support.

In a preferred embodiment, the first support and / or the second support has / have rollers by which the first support and / or the second support are movable relative to the platform. This allows cleaning, maintenance and / or change of the functionality of the extrusion unit, separately from the platform.

The problem is solved by the method for changing the functionality of a dough extrusion machine, according to claim 19.

In a preferred embodiment, during step (a), the extrusion unit moves along the platform guides to the first support of the support system and in which step (b) is performed on the support system .

In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion unit has a lower part and an upper part, in which the lower part is removable from the top, and in which the support system comprises a second support that can be lowered with respect to the first. bracket, and wherein the bottom of the bracket is lowered by the second bracket.

In a preferred embodiment, the first support has two rails and wherein the bottom of the extrusion unit is lowered through the area between the rails of the first support.

For a better understanding of the invention, the latter is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

Fig. 1 shows a dough extrusion machine according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows the dough extrusion machine with a support system,

Fig. 3 shows the support system comprising a first support and a second support,

Fig. 4 shows the support system with the second support lowered,

Fig. 5 shows the whisk at the bottom of the extrusion unit,

Fig. 6 shows the frame with a filling block,

Fig. 7 shows the frame with a pump casing,

Fig. 8 shows in a cross-sectional view the extrusion unit having a filling block,

Fig. 9 shows in a cross-sectional view the extrusion unit having a pump.

In general, the same or similar parts are indicated by the same names and reference signs or by similar names and reference signs. The characteristics disclosed in the description apply to parts with the same names, respectively reference signs, or with similar names, respectively reference signs. The indication of the orientation and the relative position (up, down, side, etc.) is related to the associated figure, and the indication of the orientation and / or the relative position must be modified accordingly in the different figures, according to be the case.

Fig. 1 shows a food dough extrusion machine 10 comprising a platform 2 and an extrusion unit 1 supported by the platform 2. The extrusion machine 10 has a guide 3 by means of which the at least one extrusion unit 10 it is supported on platform 2 and by means of which the at least one extrusion unit 10 is adjustable relative to platform 2 and / or removable from platform 2 (Fig. 2).

The extrusion unit 1 is supported on the platform 2 by means of rollers 6 that can roll along the guide 3 comprising at least two parallel rails 4, 5. Each roller 6 can be covered by a protective cover that moves together with the respective roller 6 (Fig. 1).

The platform 2 also comprises a conveyor 20 (in the form of a conveyor belt) for conveying the extruded dough by the extrusion unit 1, in which the guide 3 extends above the conveyor 20, preferably transverse, more preferably essentially perpendicular , to the transport direction 21 of the conveyor 20. The extrusion unit 1 has a lower part 8 to house a functional insert 9 and an upper part 7 which houses the feed rollers 27 (Figs. 8 and 9) to feed the dough from hopper 11 to functional insert 9. The functional insert 9 leads the mass to the outlet nozzles 18. The functional insert 9 may be a pump 16, for example in the form of a pump casing (Fig. 9) or a filling block 17 (Fig. 8) and may also comprise the outlet nozzle arrangement 18. While the pump actively pushes the mass towards the outlet nozzles 18, the filling block 17 is a passive element, for example, comprising multiple channels leading to the outlet nozzles 18. Depending on the quality of the dough (weight, density, flow characteristic), one functional insert or another is used. In this way, the extrusion unit of Fig. 8 has a different functionality from that of the extrusion unit of Fig. 9.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the extrusion unit 1 has a guide by which the hopper 11 is movably supported by rollers that can roll along the guide. The guide that supports the hopper 11 is essentially parallel to the guide 3 that supports the extrusion unit 1.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, the extrusion unit 1 is removably coupled to a drive unit 12 to drive a functional insert 9 in the bottom 8 of the extrusion unit 1 and the housed feed rollers 27 at the top 7 of the extrusion unit 1. In this case, the drive unit 12 is mounted on the guide 3.

Fig. 2 shows a support system 22 for temporarily supporting an extrusion unit 1, in which the support system 22 comprises a first support 23 having a guide 13 in the form of two parallel rails 14, 15, in which the guide 13 can be aligned with the guide 3 formed on the platform 2. In this alignment, the extrusion unit 1 can move along the guides 3, 13 from the platform 2 to the first support 23 and vice versa.

Figs. 3 and 4 show that the support system 22 also comprises a second support 24 which can be lowered relative to the first support 23. With the second support 24, the lower part 8 of the extrusion unit 1 can be lowered and removed / changed ( Fig. 4). The second bracket 24 has a scissor-type lowering mechanism. The lower part 8 of the extrusion unit 1 is removable from the upper part 7 (by removing the screws 28 in Fig. 3), in which the distance between the rails 4, 5 and 14, 15 is greater than the width of the lower part 8, so that the lower part 8 can be lowered through the area between the rails 14, 15.

The first support 23 and the second support 24 have rollers 25, 26 by means of which they can move relative to the platform 2.

The lower part 8 comprises a frame 19 on which the functional insert 9 is removably mounted (Figs.

5, 6 and 7). In Fig. 6, a filling block 17 with a nozzle arrangement 18 is inserted into the frame 19. In Fig. 7, a pump 16 (casing) with a nozzle arrangement 18 is inserted into the frame 19. With In order to change the functionality of the extrusion unit 1, the lower part 8 is removed and exchanged in its entirety or only the functional insert 9 is exchanged and the same frame 19 is used again.

As can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the lower part 8 can be separated from the upper part 7 in a downward direction.

The method for changing the functionality of a dough extrusion machine 10 comprises the steps of: (a) removing the extrusion unit 1 from the platform 2 (see Fig. 2) and (b) exchanging a functional insert 9 from the extrusion unit 1 (Fig. 3 and 4) and (c) moving the extrusion unit 1 with the functional insert 9 exchanged to the platform 2. The removal or exchange of the functional insert 9 is performed by the support system 22. The first support 23 supports the upper part 7 of the extrusion unit 1, while the second support 24 supports the lower part 8 and is lower with respect to the first support 23. The second support 24 can be moved (independently of the first support 23) to a different site and a new / different bottom or just a new / different functional insert can be arranged in the second support 24 in order to be attached to the top (waiting in the first support 23).

In the stage shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the lower part 8 of the extrusion unit 1 is lowered through the area between the rails 14, 15.

List of reference signs

1 extrusion unit

2 platform

3 guide

4 lane

5 rail

6 rollers

7 top

8 bottom

9 functional insert

10 frame

hopper

guide drive unit

rail

rail

bomb

filling block nozzle arrangement conveyor frame transport direction support system first support second support rollers

rollers

feed roller screws

Claims (22)

1. Food dough extrusion machine (10), comprising - a platform (2) and - at least one extrusion unit (1) supported by the platform (2), in which the extrusion machine (10) has a guide (3) by means of which the at least one extrusion unit (10) is supported on the platform (2) and by means of which the at least one unit (10) of extrusion is adjustable in relation to the platform (2) and removable from the platform (2), in which the guide (3) comprises at least two parallel rails (4, 5), characterized in that the extrusion unit (1) has a lower part (8) and an upper part (7), in which the lower part (8) is removable from the upper part (7), and in which the distance between the rails is greater than the width of the part lower. 2. Food dough extrusion machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the extrusion unit (1) is supported on the platform (2) by means of rollers (6) that can roll along the guide (3), wherein preferably each roller (6) is covered by a protective cover that moves together with the respective roll (6). 3. Food dough extrusion machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide (3) is provided on the platform (2) and the rollers (6) are mounted to the extrusion unit (1). 4. Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the distance between the rails (4, 5) is greater than the width of the lower part (8). 5. Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower part (8) comprises a functional insert (9) for driving the dough, wherein preferably the functional insert comprises a pump (16) and / or a filling block (17) and / or a nozzle arrangement (18). 6. Food dough extrusion machine according to claim 5, wherein the lower part (8) comprises a frame (19) to which the functional insert (9) is removably mounted. Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower part (8) is removable from the upper part (7) in a downward direction. Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the lower part (8) is fixed to the upper part (7) by clamping means, preferably by screws (28), wherein the means They are accessible from the top or the side of the extrusion unit (1) and / or comprise a quick release mechanism. Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the upper part (7) has rollers (6) that can roll along the guide (3). Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the extrusion unit (1) is removably coupled to a drive unit (12) to drive a functional insert (9) in the part ( 8) lower part of the extrusion unit (1) and / or feed rollers (27) housed in the upper part (7) of the extrusion unit (1), in which preferably the drive unit (12) is mounted in the guide (3) and / or in which preferably the drive unit (12) is stationary with respect to the guide (3). Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the platform (2) comprises a conveyor (20) for conveying the extruded dough by the extrusion unit (1), in which the guide (3 ) extends over the conveyor (20), preferably transverse, more preferably essentially perpendicular, to the direction (21) of conveyance of the conveyor (20). Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the extrusion unit (1) has multiple outlet nozzles through which the flow of dough can be discharged, preferably to a conveyor (20). Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the extrusion unit (1) comprises at least one feed roller (27), preferably feed rollers (27), in which preferably the at At least one feed roller (27) is housed in the upper part (7) of the extrusion unit (1). Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the extrusion unit (1), preferably the upper part (7) of the extrusion unit (1), comprises dough supply means, preferably a hopper (11). Food dough extrusion machine according to claim 14, in which the extrusion unit (1) has a guide by which the dough supply means are movably supported, preferably by means of rollers that can roll at a along the guide, wherein preferably the guide supporting the dough supply means is essentially parallel to the guide (3) supporting the extrusion unit (1). Food dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the dough extrusion machine (10) comprises a support system (22) for temporarily supporting an extrusion unit (1), wherein the Support system (22) comprises a first support (23) having a guide (13), preferably in the form of two parallel rails (14, 15), in which the guide (13) can be aligned with the guide (3) formed on the platform (2), so that the extrusion unit (1) can move along the guides (3, 13) from the platform (2) to the first support (23) and vice versa. 17. Food dough extrusion machine according to claim 16, wherein the support system (22) comprises a second support (24) that can be lowered with respect to the first support (23), wherein preferably the second support ( 24) has a scissor-type lowering mechanism. 18. Food dough extrusion machine according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first support (23) and / or the second support (24) have rollers (25, 26) by means of which the first support (23) and / or the second support (24) are mobile in relation to the platform (2). 19. Method for changing the functionality of a dough extrusion machine according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: (a) removing the extrusion unit (1) from the platform (2) and (b) exchanging a functional insert (9) of the extrusion unit (1) and (c) moving the extrusion unit (1) to the platform (2). Method according to claim 19, in which the extrusion machine is formed according to one of claims 18 to 20 and in which during step (a) the extrusion unit (1) moves along the guides (3, 13) from the platform (2) to the first support (23) of the support system (22) and in which step (b) is performed on the support system (22). Method according to claim 20, wherein the extrusion unit (1) has a lower part (8) and an upper part (7), wherein the lower part (8) is removable from the part (7) upper, and in which the support system (22) comprises a second support (24) that can be lowered with respect to the first support (23), and in which the lower part (8) is lowered by the second support (24 ). Method according to claim 20 or 21, in which the first support (23) has two rails (14, 15) and in which the lower part (8) of the extrusion unit (1) is lowered through the area between the rails (14, 15).